Theft of 166 Manhole Covers Over Two Weeks Creates Road Hazards in Poinciana

Thursday

Jan 24, 2013 at 12:01 AM

One hundred sixty-six manhole covers, worth more than $22,000 dollars, were stolen in Poinciana during the past two weeks, according to Toho Water Authority spokeswoman Mary Guidone.

By CLIFFORD PARODYTHE LEDGER

POINCIANA | One hundred sixty-six manhole covers, worth more than $22,000 dollars, were stolen in Poinciana during the past two weeks, according to Toho Water Authority spokeswoman Mary Guidone.

Guidone says the first missing cover was discovered by a crew member checking on a water leak in the Village 7 area of Poinciana, which encompasses Lake Marion Creek Road and many surrounding side streets.

"They did a survey of the area and within that survey found another one, so they started to do a wider survey," she said.

In addition to the 166 manhole covers, five water valve covers had gone missing.

"We think that most likely they were stolen for scrap," Guidone said. "But most salvage companies won't take manhole covers, at least not in bulk."

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is working alongside Toho to solve the crime. Guidone said the area is not heavily populated, and the covers were not in the roadway but beside the roads. The missing covers still present a danger to the families that live nearby. The holes, once shielded by the covers, range from 3 feet deep to 12 feet deep.

"This is a safety hazard," she said. "People can fall in them."

For now, Toho crews are covering the holes with plywood and dirt, and marking the areas with caution tape.

Anyone with information is asked to call the PCSO at 863-298-6200, or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-8477.